The Ultimate Guide to Holiday Fun in Indianapolis 2026

The Indianapolis holiday season runs from the first drive-through lights in early November to the last train ride before Christmas, and this is our list of all of it: family attractions, light displays, holiday markets, shows, outdoor ice rinks, community festivals and sensory-friendly events, with each one’s dates for the season. Every date below comes from the organizer. When something hasn’t been announced yet, it carries an asterisk, and we update this page as details come out.

For the full lights rundown, see our guide to Christmas lights in Indianapolis; for a road trip, our best Christmas towns in Indiana.

Jump to:

• Family holiday attractions
• Christmas light displays
• More holiday guides
• Holiday markets
• Holiday performances
• Outdoor ice skating
• Community festivals, parades and tree lightings
• Sensory-friendly holiday events

Holiday Fun in Indianapolis 2026: Family Attractions

The big ticketed traditions, most with a meet-Santa moment; see where to see Santa around Indianapolis for the rest.

• Festival of Trees, Indiana Historical Society, downtown: Nov. 13, 2026, to Jan. 2, 2027, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
• Christmas at the Zoo, Indianapolis Zoo: Nov. 21, 2026, to Jan. 3, 2027, nightly from 5 p.m.; closed Thanksgiving, Dec. 24, 25 and 31, 2026, and Jan. 1, 2027. Adult tickets are $28.75 to $35.75 online, by date; our Christmas at the Zoo guide has each night’s price.
• Winterlights at Newfields: Nov. 20, 2026, to Jan. 3, 2027, from 5 p.m.; tickets start at $25, kids 5 and under free. Tickets are on sale now.
• Jingle Rails at the Eiteljorg: Nov. 21, 2026, to Jan. 18, 2027, included with museum admission ($20 adults, $12 ages 5 to 17).
• Carmel Christkindlmarkt: Nov. 21 to Dec. 24, 2026, Wednesdays through Sundays, free admission.
• A Merry Prairie Holiday, Conner Prairie: select nights Nov. 27 to Dec. 28, 2026, 5:30 to 9:30 p.m.; $26, members $15.
• Conservatory Crossing, Garfield Park Conservatory: Nov. 27 to Dec. 27, 2026, closed Mondays; $7 a person or $15 a family, paid at the door, no timed tickets.
• Celebration Crossing, Indiana State Museum: Nov. 27, 2026, to Jan. 3, 2027, closed Christmas Day; included with museum admission.
• SKYLAKE winter park, Sheridan: holiday vendor village Nov. 27 to Dec. 24, 2026, plus snow tubing, ice skating and a walk-through light trail; hours and prices not posted yet.
• WinterFaire at the Children’s Museum: Nov. 21, 2026, to Feb. 15, 2027, included with museum admission.
• Reindeer Express, Nickel Plate Express in Noblesville: select days Nov. 14 to Dec. 23, 2026; sold by group, from $95 for two.
• Holiday Lights Railbike Adventure, Nickel Plate Express in Noblesville: select nights Nov. 19 to Dec. 31, 2026; $24.95 a seat or $89.95 for a four-seat bike.
• Sullivan Express to the North Pole, Sullivan Hardware on Keystone Avenue: select days Nov. 20 to Dec. 23, 2026; the Traditional ride is $90 a train car, and Nov. 27 and 29 and Dec. 4 and 5 were sold out as of Nov. 2, 2026.

Christmas Light Displays

Drive-through and walk-through lights around Indy. Our free Christmas lights near Indianapolis list covers the neighborhoods and parks that cost nothing.

• Christmas Nights of Lights, Indiana State Fairgrounds: Nov. 6 to Dec. 31, 2026, nightly 6 to 10 p.m.; $40 a car, online in advance.
• Christmas at the Zoo: Nov. 21, 2026, to Jan. 3, 2027.
• Winterlights at Newfields: Nov. 20, 2026, to Jan. 3, 2027.
• A Merry Prairie Holiday: select nights Nov. 27 to Dec. 28, 2026.
• Circle of Lights, Monument Circle: lighting celebration Friday, Nov. 27, 2026, 5 to 8 p.m.; free.
• The Holiday Stroll, Kelsay Farms in Whiteland: Dec. 4 to 23, 2026, Fridays through Sundays plus nightly Dec. 17 to 23, 2026, 5 to 9 p.m.; $10, under 2 free.
• Glimmer Lights at Piney Acres, Fortville: select nights Nov. 15 to Dec. 20, 2026; train ride $18, tractor-wagon ride $15, plus fees.
• Nights of Lights at Mounds State Park, Anderson: Fridays through Sundays, Nov. 27 to Dec. 27, 2026, 6 to 9 p.m.; $10 a car.
• Lights Under Louisville, Louisville Mega Cavern: Nov. 13, 2026, to Jan. 2, 2027; from $42.99 a car.
• The Lighted Trail, Greenwood Amphitheater Park: from Sunday, Dec. 6, 2026, dusk to dawn.

More Holiday Guides

The rest of the season, from tree farms and Santa breakfasts to toy shops and The Nutcracker.

• Thanksgiving Day races and turkey trots
• Christmas tree farms near Indianapolis
• Breakfast with Santa around Indy
• Where to mail a letter to Santa in Indianapolis
• Local toy stores in Indianapolis
• Where to see The Nutcracker in Indianapolis
• Christmas pop-up bars and restaurants
• Indoor and outdoor ice skating
• Holiday train rides in Indiana

Holiday Markets and Christkindlmarkts

Artisan gifts, hot cocoa and live music, from the big fairgrounds shows to German-style markets.

• Christmas Gift and Hobby Show, Indiana State Fairgrounds: Nov. 11 to 15, 2026; $14 at the door, kids 12 and under free.
• Junior League Holiday Mart, Indiana State Fairgrounds: Nov. 19 to 21, 2026 (Shoppers Eve is Nov. 19, 2026); $15 presale, $20 at the door, kids 10 and under free.
• Carmel Christkindlmarkt: Nov. 21 to Dec. 24, 2026.
• Athenaeum Christkindlmarkt, the Athenaeum Biergarten: Fridays through Sundays, Nov. 27 to Dec. 20, 2026.
• Clearview Family Tree Farm Artisans Festival, Arlington in Rush County: Nov. 27 to 29 and Dec. 5 to 6, 2026, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
• Cumberland Weihnachtsmarkt, Historic Cumberland: Saturday, Dec. 5, 2026, noon to 5 p.m.; free.
• Holiday Author Fair, Indiana Historical Society: date not posted yet.

Holiday Performances

Classic stories, orchestras and shows short enough for little kids. Our list of Christmas plays and holiday concerts in Indianapolis has showtimes, age guidance and kids’ ticket prices for more than 20 family shows.

• Peanut Butter and Jam: Silly Safaris, Animals of the North Pole, The Studio Theater, Carmel: Saturday, Nov. 14, 2026, 10:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m.; $10 a child, two adults included.
• A Christmas Carol, Indiana Repertory Theatre: Nov. 14 to Dec. 26, 2026; from $27.
• A Motown Christmas, the Palladium: Wednesday, Nov. 18, 2026, 7 p.m.; from $44.
• Irving Berlin’s Holiday Inn, Beef and Boards: Nov. 27, 2026, to Jan. 3, 2027; $59.50 to $87.50 with the buffet, $6 off ages 3 to 15; under 3 not admitted.
• AES Indiana Yuletide Celebration, Hilbert Circle Theatre: Dec. 4 to 23, 2026.
• Annie, Civic Theatre at The Tarkington: Dec. 4 to 26, 2026; from $74.
• A Christmas Carol, the one-hour show, Beef and Boards: select dates Dec. 4 to 22, 2026; $45 to $53 with the buffet.
• Carmel Symphony Orchestra Holiday Pops, the Palladium: Sunday, Dec. 13, 2026, 2 p.m. (a one-hour family matinee) and 7 p.m.; from $44.
• Peanut Butter and Jam: Melchior Marionettes, Holiday Cabaret on Strings, The Studio Theater: Saturday, Dec. 19, 2026, 10:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m.; $10 a child.

Outdoor Ice Skating

Seasonal rinks around the metro; prices and session times are in our ice skating guide.

• Elevance Health Rink on Morris Bicentennial Plaza, downtown: Nov. 18, 2026, to Jan. 24, 2027.
• The Ice at Carter Green, Carmel: Nov. 21, 2026, to Jan. 31, 2027.
• Ice Rink at Holliday Park, Indianapolis: Nov. 27, 2026, to March 1, 2027, closed Christmas Day.
• Lawrence Civic Plaza rink, during Winterfest: Saturdays and Sundays, Nov. 28, 2026, to Jan. 3, 2027, 3 to 7 p.m.
• Ice Ribbon at Grand Junction Plaza, Westfield: Nov. 21, 2026, to Jan. 2, 2027; tickets online only.
• Federal Hill Commons Ice Plaza, Noblesville: season dates not posted yet.

Community Festivals, Parades and Tree Lightings

Hometown parades, tree lightings and holiday festivals around Indy; our free holiday festivals in Indianapolis list has more. Most are free to attend; we note it where the organizer says so.

• Christmas in Pendleton: Saturday, Nov. 14, 2026, with the parade at 5:30 p.m.
• Holidays in Carmel Kick-off, Carter Green and City Center: Saturday, Nov. 21, 2026.
• Circle of Lights, Monument Circle: Friday, Nov. 27, 2026, 5 to 8 p.m.; free.
• Bridgeton Country Christmas, Parke County: Nov. 27 to 29 and Dec. 4 to 6, 2026, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
• A Lawrence Christmas, Lawrence Civic Plaza: Saturday, Nov. 28, 2026; free.
• Christmas in the Village Parade, Zionsville: Saturday, Nov. 28, 2026, 5 to 6:30 p.m.
• Light Up Main, Whitestown: Friday, Dec. 4, 2026, 5 to 7 p.m.; free.
• Fortville Winterfest: Saturday, Dec. 5, 2026, noon to 6 p.m.
• Westfield in Lights, Grand Junction Plaza: Saturday, Dec. 5, 2026, 3 to 6 p.m., tree lighting at 6.
• Cumberland Weihnachtsmarkt: Saturday, Dec. 5, 2026, noon to 5 p.m.; free.
• Christmas Under the Stars, Brownsburg: Saturday, Dec. 5, 2026, 4 to 8 p.m., parade at 6; free.
• Downtown Holiday Lighting, Franklin: Saturday, Dec. 5, 2026, parade at 5:30 p.m.
• Santa Soirée, Clay Terrace in Carmel: Saturday, Dec. 5, 2026, 4 to 6 p.m.
• Victorian Christmas Celebration, Mooresville: Saturday, Dec. 5, 2026, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.; free.
• Broad Ripple Lights Up: Sunday, Dec. 6, 2026, 3 to 6:30 p.m.; free.
• Holly Jolly Jamboree, Cool Creek Park in Carmel: Saturday, Dec. 12, 2026, 2 to 4 p.m.; free with registration.

Sensory-Friendly Holiday Events

Lower lights and volume, smaller crowds and quiet spaces. Register ahead where it’s required, since details can change.

• A Christmas Carol sensory-friendly performance, Indiana Repertory Theatre: Saturday, Nov. 14, 2026, 2 p.m.
• Indiana State Museum sensory-friendly afternoon: Sunday, Nov. 15, 2026, 3 to 5 p.m., included with admission.
• Christmas at the Zoo sensory-friendly evenings: Wednesdays, Dec. 2 and 16, 2026, 5 to 9 p.m.
• Caring Santa photo sessions at Greenwood Park Mall and The Fashion Mall at Keystone: Sunday, Dec. 6, 2026, 9 to 10:30 a.m.; free to reserve.
• Museum My Way at the Children’s Museum: Tuesday, Dec. 8, 2026. Registration is required; tickets are available starting Monday, Nov. 9, 2026.
• Jingle Rails sensory-friendly morning, Eiteljorg Museum: date not posted yet.

For what is happening this week, see our things to do this weekend in Indianapolis, and for the rest of the year, our 101 things to do in Indianapolis with kids.